I'm ready to book.
Out of 60 bands, I'm sure I'll find some I like. And I like to listen to bands I don't know, I found several pearls that way.
But it's depressing to know about black cards and to know I'll never get one.
What about platinum card for triple gold survivors? I'll be one, soon. It's not about discount, it just would be nice.

I think (hope) that the black card will not be for those that "have sailed on every UMC cruise ever". I think (hope) that they are for "10 UMC cruises or more".

To forever exclude people from this 'club' just because they didn't want to go on a cruise with a bunch of bands all with vocalists trying to do their best cookie monster impersonation would be, upsetting.

EINHERJER returns from Valhalla to embark on the great journey known as Round X of 70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise! Will you join these sword brethren in the feasting halls starting on January 7th, 2020?

Don't make the mistake of staying shoreside all by your "L"onesome...

Funny... This year when me and the wife flew to the States for our first 70k we actually had Einherjer just in front of us in the business check-in queue. We also met them in the lounge. I asked them if they would be flying to Miami for a cruise and they said "Not this year mate, but who knows what next year brings".

I'm ready to book.
Out of 60 bands, I'm sure I'll find some I like. And I like to listen to bands I don't know, I found several pearls that way.
But it's depressing to know about black cards and to know I'll never get one.
What about platinum card for triple gold survivors? I'll be one, soon. It's not about discount, it just would be nice.

I think (hope) that the black card will not be for those that "have sailed on every UMC cruise ever". I think (hope) that they are for "10 UMC cruises or more".

To forever exclude people from this 'club' just because they didn't want to go on a cruise with a bunch of bands all with vocalists trying to do their best cookie monster impersonation would be, upsetting.

It says directly on my booking invite:

You've already sailed with us ten times? Thank you so much for your exceptional loyalty! Like every year, Survivors of our previous cruises will get first dibs!
Booking for UMC BLACK Survivors begins on Monday, October 21, 2019 at 12PM EDT (9AM PDT and 18:00 CEST respectively).

For all the complaining etc, its interesting to note that this is not without precedent. Admittedly in recent times we've known 10ish bands before gold opens, but in 2013 for the 2014 cruise, we only knew four bands.

And that cruise was the reason I stopped,but this cruise now has the lowest percentage of bands at Gold with just 5/60 vs. 4/40 ,and they are starting booking way past the point (days to cruise) were they were in 2013-14.In fact Satyricon had been announced after a long drought suck at 13 bands I think,and don’t forget the Kamelot un-announcement.He has outdone himself by leaps and bounds compared to any other year,this year.

You've already sailed with us ten times? Thank you so much for your exceptional loyalty! Like every year, Survivors of our previous cruises will get first dibs!
Booking for UMC BLACK Survivors begins on Monday, October 21, 2019 at 12PM EDT (9AM PDT and 18:00 CEST respectively).

We'll be holding a CANDLEMASS in the Caribbean onbroad Round X of The Original, The World's Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise along with 3,000 Sailors from around the globe! You do not want to miss the ultimate Heavy Metal festival of a lifetime.

"M"ake sure you reserve a ticket as soon as possible, you do not want to be left ashore on January 7th!